Belen - The Venice of the Amazon
Known as the "Venice of the Amazon" the Belen area of Iquitos is built mainly on stilts or on balsa logs. The town rises and falls, up to 45 feet, as the river levels change. Belen has a fascinating market that includes exotic fruits, fish and meat and medicinal plants. Also for sale (illegally) are various birds and animals such as monkeys, sloths, parrots and macaws.